Semiconductor device and production method thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for producing a semiconductor device includes preparing a structure having a substrate, a planar semiconductor layer and a columnar semiconductor layer, forming a second drain/source region in the upper part of the columnar semiconductor layer, forming a contact stopper film and a contact interlayer film, and forming a contact layer on the second drain/source region. The step for forming the contact layer includes forming a pattern and etching the contact interlayer film to the contact stopper film using the pattern to form a contact hole for the contact layer and removing the contact stopper film remaining at the bottom of the contact hole by etching. The projection of the bottom surface of the contact hole onto the substrate is within the circumference of the projected profile of the contact stopper film formed on the top and side surface of the columnar semiconductor layer onto the substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. Ser. No.12/858,840, filed Aug. 18, 2010, which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2009-189262 filed on Aug. 18, 2009 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/274,733 filed on Aug. 19, 2009, and theentire disclosure of each is incorporated by reference herein.

This application relates generally to a semiconductor device andproduction method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semiconductor integrated circuits, particularly integrated circuitsusing MOS transistors, have increasingly been highly integrated. MOStransistors in integrated circuits have been downsized to nano sizes asthe integration level is increased. As MOS transistors become smaller,problems occur such as difficulty in controlling the leak current anddifficulty in reducing the area occupied by the circuits while assuringa necessary current quantity. In order to resolve these problems,surrounding gate transistors (SGT) have been proposed in which thesource, gate, and drain are provided on a substrate in the verticaldirection and the gate surrounds a columnar semiconductor layer (forexample, see Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI PublicationNo. H2-71556)

In an SGT, a channel region is formed in the side surface of a columnarsemiconductor layer to surround the columnar semiconductor layer.Therefore, it is possible to attain a large width of the gate in a smalloccupied area. In order for an SGT having this structure to operate, itis necessary for a large ON current to flow in a small occupied area.However, because it is difficult to apply a voltage on the source anddrain in accordance with the desired current when the source and drainhave high resistance, the desired current cannot flow. Therefore, amethod of producing an SGT in which the source and drain are designed tohave low resistance is necessary. Furthermore, it is also necessary toreduce the resistance of contacts in order for a large ON current toflow in the small occupied area.

In the SGT, the columnar semiconductor layer needs to have a smalldiameter in order to diminish leak current accompanying downsizing.

When the columnar semiconductor layer has a small diameter, the diameterof the columnar semiconductor layer is smaller than that of the contactlayer formed on the columnar semiconductor layer. In this case, ifover-etching occurs during forming contact holes by etching in the stepof forming a contact layer on the columnar semiconductor layer, shortcircuits between the contact layer on the columnar semiconductor layerand the gate electrode formed around the columnar semiconductor layermay easily occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present application is to provide a structure of acontact layer preventing short circuits between the contact layer on acolumnar semiconductor layer and the gate electrode formed around thecolumnar semiconductor layer and obtaining low and stable contactresistance, and a production method thereof.

In order to achieve the above purpose, a method for producing asemiconductor device according to a first aspect of the presentapplication comprises:

a step of preparing a structure provided with a substrate, a planarsemiconductor layer formed above the substrate and a columnarsemiconductor layer formed on the planar semiconductor layer;

a step of forming a first source or drain region in a lower part of thecolumnar semiconductor layer and in the planar semiconductor layer;

a step of forming a gate insulating film around the columnarsemiconductor layer;

a step of forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film so as tosurround the columnar semiconductor layer;

a second drain or source region formation step of forming a second drainor source region in an upper part of the columnar semiconductor layer;

a contact stopper film formation step of forming a contact stopper filmon a resultant structure of the second drain or source region formationstep;

a step of forming a contact interlayer film on the contact stopper filmso as to embed a resultant structure of the contact stopper filmformation step; and

a contact layer formation step of forming a first contact layer on thesecond drain or source region, wherein

the contact layer formation step comprises: a pattern formation step offorming a first pattern on the contact interlayer film, the firstpattern corresponding to a region where the first contact layer is to beformed; a contact hole formation step of etching the contact interlayerfilm to the contact stopper film using the first pattern so as to form afirst contact hole for the first contact layer; and a contact stopperfilm removal step of removing the contact stopper film remaining at abottom of the first contact hole by etching, and

a projection of a bottom surface of the first contact hole onto thesubstrate is within a circumference of a projected profile of thecontact stopper film onto the substrate, the contact stopper film formedon a top surface and an upper sidewall of the columnar semiconductorlayer.

The contact layer formation step further may comprise a second contactlayer formation step of forming a second contact layer on the firstsource or drain region;

the second contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming asecond pattern on the contact interlayer film, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern to form a second contact hole forthe second contact layer; and a step removing the contact stopper filmremaining at a bottom of the second contact hole by etching,

the second contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate, and

the first contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the first contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole.

The contact layer formation step may further comprise a second contactlayer formation step of forming a second contact layer on the firstsource or drain region and a third contact layer formation step offorming a third contact layer on a gate wire extending from the gateelectrode,

the second contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming asecond pattern on the contact interlayer film, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern to form a second contact hole forthe second contact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopperfilm remaining at a bottom of the second contact hole by etching,

the third contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming athird pattern on the contact interlayer film, the third patterncorresponding to a region where the third contact layer is to be formed;a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contact stopperfilm using the third pattern to form a third contact hole for the thirdcontact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopper film remainingat a bottom of the third contact hole by etching,

the second contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate,

the third contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the thirdcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate, and

the first contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the first contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole.

The contact layer formation step may further comprise: a second contactlayer formation step of forming a second contact layer on the firstsource or drain region; and a third contact layer formation step offorming a third contact layer on a gate wire extending from the gateelectrode,

the second contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming asecond pattern on the contact interlayer film, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern to form a second contact hole forthe second contact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopperfilm remaining at a bottom of the second contact hole by etching,

the third contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming athird pattern on the contact interlayer film, the third patterncorresponding to a region where the third contact layer is to be formed;a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contact stopperfilm using the third pattern to form a third contact hole for the thirdcontact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopper film remainingat a bottom of the third contact hole by etching,

the second contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate, the first contacthole is formed so that an average inclination of a side surface of thefirst contact hole is larger than an average inclination of a sidesurface of the second contact hole, and

the third contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the third contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole.

The contact layer formation step may further comprise a second contactlayer formation step of forming a second contact layer on the firstsource or drain region,

the second contact layer formation step comprises: a step of applying asecond resist on the contact interlayer film and patterning the secondresist using lithography to form a second pattern, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to be 15formed; and a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern to form a second contact hole forthe second contact layer,

in the contact layer formation step, a third contact layer is furtherformed on a gate wire extending from the gate electrode,

in the pattern formation step, the first patter is formed so as tocorrespond to the region where the first contact layer is to be formedand the region where the third contact layer is to be formed by applyinga first resist on the contact interlayer film and patterning the firstresist using lithography,

in the contact hole formation step, the first contact hole and a thirdcontact hole for the third contact layer are formed by etching thecontact interlayer film to the contact stopper film using the firstpattern,

the contact stopper film removal step is performed after the firstcontact hole, the second contact hole and the third contact hole havebeen formed,

in the contact stopper film removal step, the contact stopper filmremaining at bottoms of the first contact hole, the second contact holeand the third contact hole are removed by etching,

the second contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate,

the first contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the first contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole, and

the third contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the third contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole.

The contact layer formation step may further comprise a second and thirdcontact layers formation step of forming a second contact layer on thefirst source or drain region and forming a third contact layer on a gatewire extending from the gate electrode,

the second and third contact layers formation step comprises: a step ofapplying a second resist on the contact interlayer film and patterningthe second resist using lithography to form a second pattern, the secondpattern corresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to15 be formed and a region where the third contact layer is to be formed;and a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contact stopperfilm using the second pattern to form a second contact hole for thesecond contact layer and a third contact hole for the third contactlayer,

in the pattern formation step, the first patter is formed so as tocorrespond to the region where the first contact layer is to be formedby applying a first resist on the contact interlayer film and patterningthe first resist using lithography,

the contact stopper film removal step is performed after the firstcontact hole, the second contact hole and the third contact hole havebeen formed,

in the contact stopper film removal step, the contact stopper filmremaining at bottoms of the first contact hole, the second contact holeand the third contact hole are removed by etching,

the second contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate,

the third contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the thirdcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate,

the first contact hole is formed so that an average inclination of aside surface of the first contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the second contact hole, and

the first contact hole is formed so that the average inclination of theside surface of the first contact hole is larger than an averageinclination of a side surface of the third contact hole.

The method may further comprise an oxide film formation step of formingan oxide film in a form of a sidewall on an upper sidewall of thecolumnar semiconductor layer, wherein

in the contact stopper film formation step, the contact stopper film isformed on a resultant structure of the oxide film formation step, and

the contact stopper film is a silicon nitride film.

The semiconductor device according to a second aspect of the presentapplication comprises:

a substrate;

a planar semiconductor layer formed on the substrate;

a columnar semiconductor layer formed on the planar semiconductor layer;

a first source or drain region formed at a bottom of the columnarsemiconductor layer;

a second drain or source region formed in an upper part of the columnarsemiconductor layer;

a gate insulating film formed around the columnar semiconductor layer;

a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film so as to surroundthe columnar semiconductor layer;

a first contact layer formed on the second drain or source region;

a second contact layer formed on the first source or drain region; and

a third contact layer formed on a gate wire extending from the gateelectrode,

wherein a side surface of the second contact layer is nearlyperpendicular to the substrate, and

an average inclination of a side surface of the first contact layer islarger than an average inclination of the side surface of the secondcontact layer.

The average inclination of the side surface of the third contact layermay be larger than the average inclination of the side surface of thesecond contact layer.

The side surface of the third contact layer may be nearly perpendicularto the substrate, and

the average inclination of the side surface of the first contact layermay be larger than the average inclination of the side surface of thethird contact layer.

The semiconductor device according to a third aspect of the presentapplication comprises:

a substrate;

a columnar semiconductor layer formed above the substrate;

a first source or drain region formed at a bottom of the columnarsemiconductor layer;

a second drain or source region formed in an upper part of the columnarsemiconductor layer;

a gate insulating film formed around the columnar semiconductor layer;

a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film so as to surroundthe columnar semiconductor layer;

a first contact layer formed on the second drain or source region;

a second contact layer formed on the first source or drain region;

a third contact layer formed on a gate wire extending from the gateelectrode; and

a first insulating film sidewall formed on an upper sidewall of thecolumnar semiconductor layer;

wherein a projection of a bottom surface of the first contact layer ontothe substrate is within a circumference of a projected profile of thefirst insulating film sidewall onto the substrate.

The semiconductor device may further comprise a contact stopper filmformed on the first insulating film sidewall, wherein:

the first insulating film sidewall is a silicon oxide film, and

the contact stopper film is a silicon nitride film.

Here, the expression “above” the substrate means on the substrate orabove the substrate via some layers formed on the substrate.

According to the present invention, it is possible in a verticaltransistor to prevent short circuits between a contact layer on acolumnar semiconductor layer and a gate electrode formed around thecolumnar semiconductor layer. Furthermore, according to the presentinvention, it is possible to obtain low and stable contact resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of this application can be obtained whenthe following detailed description is considered in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 2 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 3 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 4 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 5 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 6 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 7 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 8 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 9 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 10 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 11 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 12 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 13 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 14 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 15 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 16 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 17 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 18 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 19 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 20 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 21 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 22 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 23 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 24 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 25 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 26 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 27 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 28 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 29 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 30 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 31 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 32 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 33 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 34 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 35 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 36 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 37 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 38 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 39 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 40 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 41 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 42 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 43 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, with (a) showing aplanar view and (b) showing a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ in(a);

FIG. 44 is a drawing explaining an exemplary production process of thesemiconductor device according to a first embodiment, and shows across-sectional view at the line B-B′ in the planar view of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45A is a cross-sectional view showing the upper part of thecolumnar silicon layer in a semiconductor device according to acomparison example;

FIG. 45B is a cross-sectional view showing the upper part of thecolumnar silicon layer in a semiconductor device according to acomparison example;

FIG. 46A is a plane view around the columnar silicon layer of asemiconductor device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 46B is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the columnarsilicon layer of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 46C is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the columnarsilicon layer of a variation of the semiconductor device according to afirst embodiment;

FIG. 47A is a plane view around the columnar silicon layer of avariation of the semiconductor device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 47B is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the upper partof the columnar silicon layer of a variation of the semiconductor deviceaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 48A is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the upper partof the columnar silicon layer of a semiconductor device according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48B is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the upper partof the columnar silicon layer of a semiconductor device according toanother embodiment; and

FIG. 48C is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the upper partof the columnar silicon layer of a semiconductor device according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 43 is a drawing showing an NMOS SGT of a semiconductor deviceaccording to a first embodiment of, with part (a) showing a planar viewand part (b) showing a cross-sectional view along the cut line A-A′ inpart (a). FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view along the cut line B-B′ inthe planar view (a). An NMOS SGT of a semiconductor device according tothe first embodiment is described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 43and 44.

A planar silicon layer 112 that is the planar semiconductor layer isformed on a silicon substrate 110 that is the substrate. A columnarsilicon layer 113 that is the columnar semiconductor layer is formed onthe planar silicon layer 112. A source diffusion layer 200 is formed inthe lower part of the columnar silicon layer 113 and in the planarsilicon layer 112. A drain diffusion layer 201 is formed in the upperpart of the columnar silicon layer 113. A body 309 is formed between thesource diffusion layer 200 and the drain diffusion layer 201. A gateinsulating film 124 is formed around the columnar silicon layer 113.Furthermore, a gate electrode 141 a is formed on the gate insulatingfilm 124 so as to surround the columnar silicon layer 113. A gate wire141 b extends from the gate electrode 141 a. The gate electrode 141 acomprises a part of an amorphous silicon film 141 surrounding thecolumnar silicon layer 113 and a part of a metal-silicon compound layer151. In addition, the gate wire 141 b comprises another part of theamorphous silicon film 141 and another part of the metal-siliconcompound layer 151.

A first insulating film 303 is formed between the gate electrode 141 aand the source diffusion layer 200. The first insulating film 303 is anoxide film thicker than the gate insulating film 124. By forming thefirst insulating film 303, which is an oxide film thicker than the gateinsulating film 124, between the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141b extending from the gate electrode 141 a and the source diffusion layer200, parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode 141 a and gatewire 141 b and the source diffusion layer 200 can be reduced.

A first insulating film sidewall (an oxide film) 134 is formed. Thefirst insulating film sidewall 134 is an insulating film in the form ofa sidewall on the upper sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113 andon the upper surface of the gate electrode 141 a. Furthermore, a secondinsulating film sidewall 133 is formed. The second insulating filmsidewall 133 is an insulating film in the form of a sidewall on thesidewalls of the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b. When thefirst insulating film sidewall 134 is composed of an oxide film, thecondition for etching a contact stopper film 135 is preferably set toyield a high selectivity ratio between the contact stopper film 135composed of a nitride film and the first insulating film sidewall 134composed of an oxide film in the below-described process of forming acontact hole for a first contact layer 173 on the upper part of thecolumnar silicon layer 113. Accordingly, over-etching of the firstinsulating film sidewall 134 during the formation of the contact holecan be prevented.

A metal-silicon compound layer 153 is formed in the top part of thesource diffusion layer 200. A metal-silicon compound layer 152 is formedin the top part of the drain diffusion layer 201.

A second contact layer 174 is formed on the metal-silicon compound layer153 provided in the top part of the source diffusion layer 200. A firstcontact layer 173 is formed on the metal-silicon compound layer 152provided in top part of the drain diffusion layer 201. A third contactlayer 172 is formed on the top surface of the gate wire 141 b extendingfrom the gate electrode 141 a. The shape of the first contact layer 173formed on the columnar silicon layer 113 will be described later.

The source diffusion layer 200 is connected to a ground potential (GNDpotential) and the drain diffusion layer 201 is connected to a Vccpotential. By applying a potential in the range of between 0 and Vcc tothe gate electrode 141 a, the SGT of this embodiment operate as atransistor.

Here, the diffusion layer formed in the upper part of the columnarsilicon layer 113 may serve as a source diffusion layer and thediffusion layer formed in the lower part of the columnar silicon layer113 may serve as a drain diffusion layer.

An exemplary method for producing the SGT which is a semiconductordevice according to the first embodiment of the present application isdescribed hereafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 43. In the figures, thesame components are referred to by the same reference numbers. FIGS. 1to 43 show an exemplary method for producing the SGT according to thepresent invention. In each figure, part (a) is a plane view and part (b)is a cross-sectional view along a cut line A-A′.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pad oxide film 121 is formed on a siliconsubstrate 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first nitride film 130 is formed on the pad oxidefilm 121 and a first amorphous silicon film 140 is formed on the firstnitride film 130. The first amorphous silicon film may also be a filmcomposed of polysilicon, for example.

Referring to FIG. 3, a resist is applied to the first amorphous siliconfilm 140 and patterned using lithography techniques to form a resistpattern 301 corresponding to the area where the columnar silicon layer113 is to be formed in a later step.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first amorphous silicon film 140 and the firstnitride film 130 are etched with the first resist pattern 301 to form afirst hard mask. Then, the pad oxide film 121 is etched using the firsthard mask.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first resist pattern 301 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 6, a columnar silicon layer 113 is formed bydry-etching the silicon substrate 110 using the first hard mask as amask. The first hard mask is composed of the first nitride film 130 andthe first amorphous silicon film 140. During the dry-etching step, thefirst amorphous silicon film 140 is also etched. After the firstamorphous silicon film 140 is completely etched, the plasma emissionintensity detectable in a dry-etching device is changed. Therefore, theetching end point can be detected by detecting the change in the plasmaemission intensity. Accordingly, the height of the columnar siliconlayer 113 can be controlled in a stable manner not dependent on theetching rate.

In order to apply the above end point detection method to this process,the thickness of the amorphous silicon film 140 prior to the formationof the columnar silicon layer 113 through dry-etching must be smallerthan the height of the columnar silicon layer 113.

Referring to FIG. 7, the surfaces of the columnar silicon layer 113 andsilicon substrate 110 are sacrificially oxidized to form a sacrificialoxide film 123 for smoothing the side surface of the columnar siliconlayer 113 that will form a channel and removing the silicon surface inwhich carbon and like is implanted during the dry-etching step.

Referring to FIG. 8, a resist is applied to the resultant structure ofthe above step, and patterned by lithography techniques to form a resistpattern 150 corresponding to the area where a planar silicon layer 112is to be formed. Here, the sacrificial oxide film 123 formed in the 15surface of the columnar silicon layer 113 and silicon substrate 110protects the silicon surface from contaminants such as byproducts of thesubsequent dry-etching step.

Referring to FIG. 9, the silicon substrate 110 is dry-etched with theresist pattern 150 to form a planar silicon layer 112.

Referring to FIG. 10, the resist pattern 150 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 11, a filler oxide film 120 is deposited so as tocover the resultant structure of the above steps, and planarized.

Referring to FIG. 12, the planarized filler oxide film 120 is etched toexpose the surface of the planar silicon layer 112.

Referring to FIG. 13, an offset spacer 307 is formed on the side surfaceof the columnar silicon layer 113. The offset spacer 307 is composed ofelectrically conductive material such as silicon oxide. The offsetspacer 307 prevents dopants from being implanted into the columnarsilicon layer 113 through the sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113during the implantation of dopants in the next step.

Referring to FIG. 14, a dopant such as arsenic or phosphorus isimplanted in the planar silicon layer 112 to form a source diffusionlayer 200 in the lower part of the columnar silicon layer 113 and in theplanar silicon layer 112.

In the above step, the first nitride film 130 formed on the columnarsilicon layer 113 prevents dopants from being implanted into the upperpart of the columnar silicon layer 113. As described above, theimplantation of dopants into the source diffusion layer 200 formed inthe planar silicon layer 112 and the implantation of dopants into thedrain diffusion layer 201 formed in the upper part of the columnarsilicon layer 113 are separately performed. This allows the conditionsof the implantation to be easily optimized separately. Therefore, it ispossible to prevent short channel effect and leak current effectively.

Referring to FIG. 15, the offset spacer 307 is etched to be removed.

Referring to FIG. 16, an insulating film 303 a such as an oxide film isformed. The insulating film 303 a is formed thickly on the lower part ofthe columnar silicon layer 113, on the source diffusion layer 200, andon the top of the columnar silicon layer 113 and the insulating film 303a is formed thinly on the sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113.

Referring to FIG. 17, the insulating film 303 a on the sidewall of thecolumnar silicon layer 113 is etched. Preferably, the etching isperformed isotropically. As described above, the insulating film 303 ais formed thickly at the bottom of the columnar silicon layer 113, abovethe source diffusion layer 200 and above the top of the columnar siliconlayer 113 and is formed thinly around the sidewall of the columnarsilicon layer 113. Consequently, even after etching the insulating film303 a around the sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113, part of theinsulating film 303 a remains at the bottom of the columnar siliconlayer 113, above the source diffusion layer 200 and above the top of thecolumnar silicon layer 113 so as to form an insulating film 303 b at thebottom of the columnar silicon layer 113 and above the source diffusionlayer 200 and form an insulating film 306 above the top of the columnarsilicon layer 113. The insulating film 303 b is arranged between thegate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b, which are to be formed later,and the source diffusion layer 200 and becomes a first insulating film303 thicker than the gate insulating film 124. The first insulating film303 serves to reduce parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode141 a and gate wire 141 b and the source diffusion layer 200.

The first insulating film 303 that is formed so as to be arrangedbetween the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b and the planarsilicon layer 112 in a later step may also be formed by forming aninsulating film to embed the columnar silicon layer 113, flattening andetching back it.

Referring to FIG. 18, a gate insulating film 124 such as an oxide filmand silicon oxynitride film is formed on the side surface of thecolumnar silicon layer 113.

Referring to FIG. 19, a second amorphous silicon film 141 that is a gateconductive film is formed to embed the columnar silicon layer 113. Thesecond amorphous silicon film 141 may also be a film composed ofpolysilicon.

Referring to FIG. 20, the second amorphous silicon film 141 is polishedby chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to flatten the top surfacethereof. Using the nitride film 130 that is the first hard mask as thestopper in the CMP, the amount of amorphous silicon polished by CMP canbe controlled in a well reproducible manner

Referring to FIG. 21, the second amorphous silicon film 141 that is thegate conductive film is etched back to determine the gate length.

Referring to FIG. 22, a first oxide film 125 is formed on the resultantstructure of the above steps and a second nitride film 131 a is formedon the first oxide film 125. The first oxide film 125 protects the topsurface of the gate electrode 141 a from wet or dry treatments performedin later steps, therefore it possible to prevent fluctuation in the gatelength, variation in the gate length and damage to the gate insulatingfilm 124 from the top surface of the gate electrode 141 a.

Referring to FIG. 23, the second nitride film 131 a is etched back toform a third insulating film sidewall 131. Here, the first oxide film125 is also etched. The thickness of the third insulating film sidewall131 corresponds to the thickness of the gate electrode 141 a. Therefore,it possible to form a gate electrode having a desired thickness byadjusting the thickness of the second nitride film 131 a and etch-backconditions thereof.

Referring to FIG. 24, a dopant such as phosphorus (P) is implanted inthe second amorphous silicon film (gate conductive film) 141, and thenthe implanted dopant is activated.

Referring to FIG. 25, an antireflection coating (BARC) layer 161 isformed on the resultant structure of the above steps and a resist isapplied, and a resist pattern 160 corresponding to the pattern of thegate wiring which is to be formed in a later step is formed bypatterning this resist using lithography techniques.

Referring to FIG. 26, the BARC layer 161 and the second amorphoussilicon film 141 are etched using the resist pattern 160 as a mask toform the gate electrode 141 a and the gate wire 141 b.

Referring to FIG. 27, part of the insulating film 303 b is removed bydry or wet etching to expose the surface of the source diffusion layer200 and form the first insulating film 303.

Referring to FIG. 28, the resist pattern 160 and the BARC layer 161 areremoved. Next, a fourth oxide film 305 is formed on the exposed surfaceof the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b. The fourth oxide film305 can protect the gate electrode during a later step of removing thefirst nitride film 130 and the third insulating film sidewall 131.

Referring to FIG. 29, the first nitride film 130 and the thirdinsulating film sidewall 131 on the columnar silicon layer 113 areremoved by dry or wet etching.

Referring to FIG. 30, the pad oxide film 121, the first oxide film 125,and the fourth oxide film 305 are removed by dry or wet etching toexpose the source diffusion layer 200.

Referring to FIG. 31, a third insulating film 132 is formed on theresultant structure of the above steps.

Referring to FIG. 32, the third insulating film 132 is etched back toexpose the top surface of the source diffusion layer 200 and the topsurface of the columnar silicon layer 113. In this step, the thirdinsulating film 132 remains in sidewall shape on the sidewall of thecolumnar silicon layer 113 and the sidewalls of the gate electrode 141 aand gate wire 141 b to form a first insulating film sidewall 134 and asecond insulating film sidewall 133. The first insulating film sidewall134 separates the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b from thedrain diffusion layer 201 which is to be formed later in the upper partof the first columnar silicon layer 113. And, the second insulating filmsidewall 133 separates the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b fromthe source diffusion layer 200. Therefore, short circuit between thegate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b and the source diffusion layer200 due to metal-semiconductor compounds formed in subsequent steps canbe prevented. And, short circuit between the gate electrode 141 a andgate wire 141 b and the drain diffusion layer 201 due to metal-siliconcompounds formed in subsequent steps can be also prevented. The uppersidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113 is covered with the firstinsulating film sidewall 134, thereby it is possible to prevent theformation of metal-silicon compounds in the sidewall of the columnarsilicon layer 113.

Referring to FIG. 33, a dopant such as P or As is implanted into theupper part of the columnar silicon layer 113 by a common method ofdopant implantation to form a drain diffusion layer 201. A body 309 isformed between the source diffusion layer 200 and the drain diffusionlayer 201.

Referring to FIG. 34, a first metal film is formed on the resultantstructure of the above steps by sputtering metal such as Ni or Co. Then,the substrate is treated with heat to produce a metal-semiconductorcompound on the surfaces of the source diffusion layer 200 and draindiffusion layer 201. Any un-reacted metal film is removed to form ametal-semiconductor compound layer 152 on the drain diffusion layer 201and a metal-semiconductor compound layer 153 on the source diffusionlayer 200. In this step, a metal-silicon compound layer 151 is alsoformed in the top parts of the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 bsurrounding the columnar silicon layer 113.

With a metal-silicon compound layer 151 being formed on the gateelectrode 141 a surrounding the columnar silicon layer 113, theparasitic resistance of the gate electrode 141 a is reduced.

Referring to FIG. 35, a contact stopper film 135 such as a nitride filmis formed on the resultant structure of the above steps.

Referring to FIG. 36, a contact interlayer film 126 such as an oxidefilm is formed so as to immerse the resultant structure of the abovesteps, and then is flattened by CMP.

Referring to FIG. 37, the first resist is applied to the top of thecontact interlayer film 126. Then, the applied first resist is patternedusing lithography to form a first pattern 180 corresponding to the areawhere a contact layer is to be formed on the top of the columnar siliconlayer 113.

Referring to FIG. 38, the contact interlayer film 126 is etched usingthe first pattern 180 to form a first contact hole 181 for a contactlayer (first contact layer) on the columnar silicon layer 113. The shapeof the first contact hole 181 will be described later. By using theetching condition with a high selectivity ratio between the contactinterlayer film 126 that is an oxide film and the contact stopper film135 that is a nitride film, it is possible to stop etching at thecontact stopper film 135.

Referring to FIG. 39, a second resist is applied to the resultantstructure of the above steps. Then, the applied second resist ispatterned using lithography to form a second pattern 182 correspondingto the area where the contact layer (second contact layer) is to beformed on the planar silicon layer and the area where the contact layer(third contact layer) is to be formed on the gate wire 141 b.

Referring to FIG. 40, the contact interlayer film 126 is etched usingthe second pattern 182 to form a second contact hole 183 for a contactlayer (second contact layer) on the source diffusion layer 200 of theplanar silicon layer 112 and a third contact hole 184 for a contactlayer (third contact layer) on the gate wire 141 b. Here, if the contactholes 183 and 184 are so formed as to have sidewalls nearlyperpendicular to the substrate 110, the deepest contact hole 183 canreliably be opened for the contact layer on the source diffusion layer200 in the planar silicon layer 112, and the contact resistance of thecontact layer formed can be stable. By using etching conditions with ahigh selectivity ratio between the contact interlayer film 126 and thecontact stopper film 135, it is possible to stop etching at the contactstopper film 135.

Referring to FIG. 41, the contact stopper film 135 remaining at thebottoms of the first contact hole 181 on the columnar silicon layer 113,the second contact hole 183 on the source diffusion layer 200 of theplanar silicon layer 112, and the third contact hole 184 on the gatewire 141 b are removed by etching, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 42, a barrier metal layer 171 such as tantalum (Ta)and tantalum nitride (TaN) is formed by applying a barrier metal in thecontact holes 181, 183 and 184, and then a metal film 170 is formed bysputtering or plating a metal as copper (Cu). And, a third contact layer172 is formed on the gate wire 141 b, a first contact layer 173 isformed on the columnar silicon layer 113 and a second contact layer 174is formed on the source diffusion layer 200 of the planar silicon layer112 by CMP. The barrier metal can be titanium (Ti) or titanium nitride(TiN) or even tungsten (W). Alternatively, a copper-containing alloy canbe used as the barrier metal.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, a resist (not shown) is applied. And, theapplied resist is patterned using lithography to form a patterncorresponding to the area where the first layer wires 177, 178, and 179are to be formed. Then, a barrier metal layer 175 and a metal layer 176are formed using this pattern. Through this step, the first layer wires177, 178 and 179 are formed.

In the above production method, the third contact hole 184 on the gatewire 141 b is formed in the same step as the second contact hole 183 onthe planar silicon 112, but the contact hole 184 on the gate wire 141 bmay be formed in the same step as the contact hole 181 on the columnarsilicon layer 112.

The relationship in shape between the contact layer 173 on the columnarsilicon layer 113 and the upper part of the columnar silicon layer 113in the present embodiment will be described in detail hereafter. In anSGT as used in the present embodiment, short channel effect can beprevented more effectively as the columnar silicon layer 113 is smaller.Accordingly, the columnar silicon layer 113 is patterned with a mostlyminimum size by lithography. The columnar silicon layer 113 is thenreduced in size in dimensional shrinkage during etching and sacrificialoxidation. Consequently, the final size of the columnar silicon layer113 is smaller than the minimum patternable size. Accordingly, thebottom of the contact layer 173 on the columnar silicon layer 113 isoften larger in size than the upper part of the columnar silicon layer113.

FIGS. 45A and 45B show cross-sectional views around the upper part ofthe columnar silicon layer 113 after the contact interlayer film 126 isetched. FIGS. 45A and 45B show comparison examples of the semiconductordevice according to the first embodiment and the production methodthereof in order to explain the semiconductor device of the firstembodiment and production method thereof.

As shown in FIG. 45A, the bottom of the first contact hole 181 is largerin size than the top surface of the contact stopper film 135 formed onthe top part and side surface of the columnar silicon layer 113. In thiscomparison example, the first contact hole 181 on the columnar siliconlayer 113 reaches the surface of the gate wire 141 b after etching thecontact stopper film 135 as shown in FIG. 45B. That leads to a shortcircuit between the first contact layer 173 and the gate wire 141 b.Therefore, in order to prevent short circuit between the gate wire 141 band the first contact layer 173 on the columnar silicon layer 113, thebottom of the first contact layer 173 must be smaller in size than thetop surface of the contact stopper film 135 formed on the top part andupper sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113.

FIGS. 46A to 48C are enlarged views around the upper part of thecolumnar silicon layer 113 after the contact interlayer film 135 isetched. FIGS. 46A and 47A are plane schematic diagrams. FIGS. 46B and46C are enlarged cross-sectional views around the upper part of thecolumnar silicon layer 113 along a cut line A-A′ in FIG. 46A. FIGS. 47B,47C and 48A to 48C are enlarged cross-sectional views around the upperpart of the columnar silicon layer 113 along the cut line A-A′ in FIG.47A. FIGS. 46A and 47A are planar schematic diagrams, but hatching isapplied in some parts in order to differentiate the areas.

FIGS. 46A and 46B are views around the upper part of the columnarsilicon layer 113 when the bottom surface of the contact hole 181 issmaller in size than the top surface of the contact stopper film 135formed on the top surface and upper sidewall of the columnar siliconlayer 113. That is, the projection 181 a of the bottom surface of thefirst contact hole 181 for the first contact layer 173 onto thesubstrate 110 is within the circumference 135 a of the projected profileof the contact stopper film 135 on the substrate 110. The contactstopper film 135 is formed on the top surface and upper side surface ofthe columnar silicon layer 113. In this case, the film thickness of thecontact stopper film 135 is thicker in the vertical direction from thesurface of the gate electrode 141 a to the bottom surface of the firstcontact hole 181 for the first contact layer 173 than that of thecontact stopper film 135 from the top surface of the columnar siliconlayer 113 to the bottom surface of the first contact hole 181.Therefore, short circuit does not easily occur between the gateelectrode 141 a and the first contact layer 173 even if almost 100%over-etching occurs. Accordingly, the first contact hole 181 is formedso that the projection of the first contact hole 181 onto the substrate110 is within the circumference of the projected profile onto thesubstrate 110 of the contact stopper film 135 formed on the top surfaceand upper sidewall of the columnar semiconductor layer 113.

A modification of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 46C. As shown in FIG.46C, by forming the first contact hole 181 so that the bottom surface issmaller than the top surface, it is possible for the projection of thebottom surface of the first contact hole 181 onto the substrate 110 tobe within the circumference of the projected profile onto the substrate110 of the contact stopper film 135 formed on the top surface and uppersidewall of the columnar semiconductor layer 113.

According to this structure, it is possible to prevent short circuitsbetween the first contact layer 173 on the columnar semiconductor layer113 and the gate electrode 141 a formed around the columnarsemiconductor layer 113.

Another modification of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 47B. Thecontact stopper film 135 formed on the top surface and upper sidewall ofthe columnar semiconductor layer 113 usually has a top surface roundedas shown in FIG. 47B, not right-angled. The etching selectivity ratio islow at the rounded top surface of the contact stopper film 135 when thecontact stopper film 135 is composed of a nitride film and the contactinterlayer film 126 is composed of an oxide film. Therefore, the contactstopper film 135 may further be etched at the rounded top surface whenthe contact interlayer film 126 is etched. For this reason, the bottomsurface of the first contact hole 181 is made smaller in size than thetop surface of the contact stopper film 135 formed on the top part andupper sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113 and the first contacthole 181 is so formed as to have a bottom surface smaller than the topsurface as shown in FIGS. 47A and 47B. As a result, the bottom surfaceof the contact hole 181 is formed on a relatively flat area of the topsurface of the contact stopper film 135, so a high selectivity ratio isobtained between the contact interlayer film 126 and the contact stopperfilm 135 during the etching of the contact interlayer film 126. Thisleads to reducing the amount of the contact stopper film 135 etched.According to this structure, it is possible to prevent short circuitbetween the first contact layer 173 and the gate electrode 141 aeffectively. Such short circuit can be prevented more effectively as theaverage inclination of the side surface of the first contact hole 181 isincreased. Particularly, when the bottom surface of the first contacthole 181 on the columnar silicon layer 113 is smaller in size than thefirst insulating film sidewall 134 formed on the upper sidewall of thecolumnar silicon layer 113, in other words when the projection 181 a ofthe first contact hole 181 onto the substrate 110 is within thecircumference 134 a of the projected profile of the first insulatingfilm sidewall 134 onto the substrate 110, the bottom surface of thefirst contact hole 181 is formed in an area where the contact stopperfilm 135 has a flat top surface. As a result, short circuit between thefirst contact layer 173 and the gate electrode 141 a does not easilyoccur.

More precisely, even if an attempt is made to form a contact hole havinga side surface perpendicular to the substrate 110, the contact hole mayhave a bottom surface slightly smaller than the top surface because ofthe property of etching, and thus the bottom surface becomes smaller asthe contact hole is deeper. Therefore, it is sufficient that the averageinclination of the side surface of the first contact hole 181 is largerthan the average inclination of the side surface of the second contacthole 183 so formed as to have a side surface nearly perpendicular to thesubstrate.

Another Embodiment

FIGS. 48A to 48C illustrate the shape of the first contact hole 181 of asemiconductor device according to another embodiment of the presentapplication. Referring to FIGS. 46A to 47B, an explanation is given forwhen the side surface of the first contact hole 181 is nearlyperpendicular to the substrate 110 and for when the cross-section of thefirst contact hole 181 has a tapered shape, respectively. In thisembodiment, the cross-section of the first contact hole 181 may alsohave the shape shown in FIGS. 48A to 48C. In these cases, when the angleθ made between the line α-β and the perpendicular line to the substrate110 in FIGS. 48A, 48B and 48C is defined as the average inclination ofthe side surface of a contact hole, it is sufficient that the averageinclination of the side surface of the first contact hole 181 is largerthan the average inclination of the side surface of the second contacthole 183 so formed as to have a sidewall nearly perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

Since the first contact hole 181 is shallower than the second contacthole 183 on the planar silicon layer 112, problems such as prematurestopping of etching and varied resistance values do not easily occur.Consequently, by adjusting etching conductions, it is relatively easy toform the first contact hole 181 so that the average inclination of theside surface of the first contact hole 181 is larger than the averageinclination of the side surface of the second contact hole 183 that isso formed as to have a side surface nearly perpendicular to thesubstrate 110.

In another modification, the same effect as the above can be obtained byforming the first contact hole 181 on the columnar silicon layer 113 tohave a side surface perpendicular to the substrate 110 and have a smallbottom surface, instead of forming the first contact hole 181 so thatthe average inclination of the side surface of the first contact hole181 is larger than the average inclination of the side surface of thesecond contact hole 183 that is so formed that the side surface of thesecond contact hole 183 is nearly perpendicular to the substrate 110. Asin the above embodiment, particularly when the bottom surface of thefirst contact hole 181 on the columnar silicon layer 113 is smaller insize than the circumference of the first insulating film sidewall 134formed on the upper sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113, in otherwords when the projection of the bottom surface of the first contactlayer 173 onto the substrate 110 is within the circumference of theprojected profile of the first insulating film sidewall 134 on thesubstrate 110, the bottom surface of the first contact hole 181 isformed in an area where the contact stopper film 135 has a flat topsurface, so short circuit between the first contact layer 173 and thegate electrode 141 a does not easily occur. Since the first contact hole181 on the columnar silicon layer 113 is shallower than the secondcontact hole 183 on the source diffusion layer 200 of the planar siliconlayer 112, it is easy to pattern the first contact hole 181 smaller thanthe other deeper contacts. Here, a smaller contact layer can bepatterned by forming a contact interlayer film 126 as thin as possible.

As described above, the first contact layer 173 on the columnar siliconlayer 113 is shallower than the second contact layer 174 on the sourcediffusion layer 200 in the planar silicon layer 112 and therefore it iseasy to form the first contact layer 173. Consequently, a stable contactresistance can be obtained even if the first contact layer 173 is smallin size. On the other hand, the second contact layer 174 is deeper thanthe first contact layer 173 on the columnar silicon layer 113.Therefore, the bottom of the second contact layer 174 becomes small whenthe second contact layer 174 on the source diffusion layer 200 of theplanar silicon layer 112 is formed in a tapered shape. Consequently,inconveniences such as the second contact layer 174 having a highresistance and variance in contact resistance becoming large easilyoccur. For this reason, a second contact hole 183 on the planar siliconlayer 112 is preferably formed to have a side surface nearlyperpendicular to the substrate 110, and thereby the bottom surface areaof the second contact hole 183 is maintained. In addition, a firstcontact hole 181 on the columnar silicon layer 113 is formed to have asmaller bottom surface than that of the second contact hole 183.According to such a structure, it is possible to prevent short circuitsbetween the first contact layer 173 on the columnar silicon layer 113and the gate electrode 141 a and gate wire 141 b and to obtain stableresistance of the second contact layer 174 on the source diffusion layer200 of the planar silicon layer 112.

When the first insulating film sidewall 134 is composed of an oxidefilm, not only short circuit between the first contact layer 173 on thecolumnar silicon layer 113 and the gate electrode 141 a but also etchingof the sidewall of the columnar silicon layer 113 can be prevented. Whenthe first insulating film sidewall 134 is composed of a nitride film,excess etching may occur in the upper sidewall of the columnar siliconlayer 113. On the other hand, when the first insulating film sidewall134 is composed of an oxide film, excess etching on the upper sidewallof the columnar silicon 113 can be prevented by using conditionsyielding a high selectivity ratio between nitride films and oxide filmsduring etching the contact stopper film 135, which is a nitride film.

In the above embodiments, the contact inter layer film 126 is an oxidefilm and the contact stopper film 135 is a nitride film. It is alsopossible that the contact interlayer film 126 is another insulating filmsuch as a low-k film. In this case, the contact stopper film 135 may beanother insulating film for which a high selectivity ratio is availableagainst the insulating film comprising the contact stopper film 135 suchas a low-k film.

In the above embodiment, a planar semiconductor layer 112 is formed onthe substrate 110. It is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in thefield that it is possible to form a planar semiconductor layer above asubstrate via one or more layers formed on the substrate. The planarsemiconductor layer, for example, may be formed on an insulating layerarranged on the substrate, such as an SOI substrate which has aninsulating film on a substrate.

In the above embodiments, the materials and shape of parts arearbitrary, and the specific detailed structure and the like can bemodified as appropriate.

Having described and illustrated the principles of this application byreference to one or more preferred embodiments, it should be apparentthat the preferred embodiments may be modified in arrangement and detailwithout departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it isintended that the application be construed as including all suchmodifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit andscope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   110 silicon substrate    -   112 planar silicon layer    -   113 columnar silicon layer    -   120 filler oxide film    -   121 pad oxide film    -   123 sacrificial oxide film    -   124 gate insulating film    -   125 first oxide film    -   126 contact interlayer film    -   130 first nitride film    -   131 a second nitride film    -   131 third insulating film sidewall    -   132 third insulating film    -   133 second insulating film sidewall    -   134 first insulating film sidewall (oxide film)    -   135 contact stopper film    -   135 a circumference of projected profile of contact stopper film        on substrate    -   140 first amorphous silicon film    -   141 second amorphous silicon film (gate insulating film)    -   141 a gate electrode    -   141 b gate wire    -   150, 160, 301 resist pattern    -   151-153 metal-silicon compound layer    -   161 antireflection coating (BARC) layer    -   170 metal film    -   171 barrier metal layer    -   172 third contact layer    -   173 first contact layer    -   174 second contact layer    -   175 barrier metal layer    -   176 metal layer    -   177, 178, 179 first layer wire    -   180 first pattern    -   181 first contact hole    -   181 a projection of bottom surface of first contact hole onto        substrate    -   182 second pattern    -   183 second contact hole    -   184 third contact hole    -   200 source diffusion layer    -   201 drain diffusion layer    -   303 first insulating film    -   303 a, 303 b, 306 insulating film    -   305 fourth oxide film    -   307 offset spacer    -   309 body

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing a semiconductor devicecomprising: a step of preparing a structure provided with a substrate, aplanar semiconductor layer formed above the substrate and a columnarsemiconductor layer formed on the planar semiconductor layer; a step offorming a first source or drain region in a lower part of the columnarsemiconductor layer and in the planar semiconductor layer, a step offorming a gate insulating film around the columnar semiconductor layer;a step of forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film so as tosurround the columnar semiconductor layer; a second drain or sourceregion formation step of forming a second drain or source region in anupper part of the columnar semiconductor layer; a contact stopper filmformation step of forming a contact stopper film on a resultantstructure of the second drain or source region formation step; a step offorming a contact interlayer film on the contact stopper film so as toembed a resultant structure of the contact stopper film formation step;and a contact layer formation step of forming a first contact layer onthe second drain or source region, wherein the contact layer formationstep comprises: a pattern formation step of forming a first pattern onthe contact interlayer film, the first pattern corresponding to a regionwhere the first contact layer is to be formed; a contact hole formationstep of etching the contact interlayer film to the contact stopper filmusing the first pattern so as to form a first contact hole for the firstcontact layer; and a contact stopper film removal step of removing thecontact stopper film remaining at a bottom of the first contact hole byetching, and a projection of a bottom surface of the first contact holeonto the substrate is within a circumference of a projected profile ofthe contact stopper film formed on a top surface and an upper sidewallof the columnar semiconductor layer onto the substrate.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the contact layer formation step furthercomprises a second contact layer formation step of forming a secondcontact layer on the first source or drain region, the second contactlayer formation step comprises: a step of forming a second pattern onthe contact interlayer film, the second pattern corresponding to aregion where the second contact layer is to be formed; a step of etchingthe contact interlayer film to the contact stopper film using the secondpattern to form a second contact hole for the second contact layer, anda step of removing the contact stopper film remaining at a bottom of thesecond contact hole by etching, the second contact hole is formed sothat a side surface of the second contact hole is nearly perpendicularto the substrate, and the first contact hole is formed so that anaverage inclination of a side surface of the first contact hole islarger than an average inclination of a side surface of the secondcontact hole.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contactlayer formation step further comprises a second contact layer formationstep of forming a second contact layer on the first source or drainregion and a third contact layer formation step of forming a thirdcontact layer on a gate wire extending from the gate electrode, thesecond contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming asecond pattern on the contact interlayer film, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern so as to form a second contacthole for the second contact layer; and a step of removing the contactstopper film remaining at a bottom of the second contact hole byetching, the third contact layer formation step comprises: a step offorming a third pattern on the contact interlayer film, the thirdpattern corresponding to a region where the third contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the third pattern so as to form a third contact holefor the third contact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopperfilm remaining at a bottom of the third contact hole by etching, thesecond contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate, the third contacthole is formed so that a side surface of the third contact hole isnearly perpendicular to the substrate, and the first contact hole isformed so that an average inclination of a side surface of the firstcontact hole is larger than an average inclination of a side surface ofthe second contact hole.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecontact layer formation step further comprises: a second contact layerformation step of forming a second contact layer on the first source ordrain region; and a third contact layer formation step of forming athird contact layer on a gate wire extending from the gate electrode,the second contact layer formation step comprises: a step of forming asecond pattern on the contact interlayer film, the second patterncorresponding to a region where the second contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the second pattern so as to form a second contacthole for the second contact layer; and a step of removing the contactstopper film remaining at a bottom of the second contact hole byetching, the third contact layer formation step comprises: a step offorming a third pattern on the contact interlayer film, the thirdpattern corresponding to a region where the third contact layer is to beformed; a step of etching the contact interlayer film to the contactstopper film using the third pattern so as to form a third contact holefor the third contact layer; and a step of removing the contact stopperfilm remaining at a bottom of the third contact hole by etching, thesecond contact hole is formed so that a side surface of the secondcontact hole is nearly perpendicular to the substrate, the first contacthole is formed so that an average inclination of a side surface of thefirst contact hole is larger than an average inclination of a sidesurface of the second contact hole, and the third contact hole is formedso that an average inclination of a side surface of the third contacthole is larger than the average inclination of the side surface of thesecond contact hole.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecontact layer formation step further comprises a second contact layerformation step of forming a second contact layer on the first source ordrain region, the second contact layer formation step comprises: a stepof applying a second resist on the contact interlayer film andpatterning the second resist using lithography to form a second pattern,the second pattern corresponding to a region where the second contactlayer is to be formed; and a step of etching the contact interlayer filmto the contact stopper film using the second pattern so as to form asecond contact hole for the second contact layer, in the contact layerformation step, a third contact layer is further formed on a gate wireextending from the gate electrode, in the pattern formation step, thefirst patter is formed so as to correspond to the region where the firstcontact layer is to be formed and a region where the third contact layeris to be formed, by applying a first resist on the contact interlayerfilm and patterning the first resist using lithography, in the contacthole formation step, the first contact hole and a third contact hole forthe third contact layer are formed by etching the contact interlayerfilm to the contact stopper film using the first pattern, the contactstopper film removal step is performed after the first contact hole, thesecond contact hole and the third contact hole have been formed, in thecontact stopper film removal step, the contact stopper film remaining atbottoms of the first contact hole, the second contact hole and the thirdcontact hole are removed by etching, the second contact hole is formedso that a side surface of the second contact hole is nearlyperpendicular to the substrate, the first contact hole is formed so thatan average inclination of a side surface of the first contact hole islarger than an average inclination of a side surface of the secondcontact hole, and the third contact hole is formed so that an averageinclination of a side surface of the third contact hole is larger thanan average inclination of a side surface of the second contact hole. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact layer formationstep further comprises a second and third contact layers formation stepof forming a second contact layer on the first source or drain regionand forming a third contact layer on a gate wire extending from the gateelectrode, the second and third contact layers formation step comprises:a step of applying a second resist on the contact interlayer film andpatterning the second resist using lithography to form a second pattern,the second pattern corresponding to a region where the second contactlayer is to be formed and a region where the third contact layer is tobe formed; and a step of etching the contact interlayer film to thecontact stopper film using the second pattern so as to form a secondcontact hole for the second contact layer and a third contact hole forthe third contact layer, in the pattern formation step, the first patteris formed so as to correspond to the region where the first contactlayer is to be formed by applying a first resist on the contactinterlayer film and patterning the first resist using lithography, thecontact stopper film removal step is performed after the first contacthole, the second contact hole and the third contact hole have beenformed, in the contact stopper film removal step, the contact stopperfilm remaining at bottoms of the first contact hole, the second contacthole and the third contact hole are removed by etching, the secondcontact hole is formed so that a side surface of the second contact holeis nearly perpendicular to the substrate, the third contact hole isformed so that a side surface of the third contact hole is nearlyperpendicular to the substrate, the first contact hole is formed so thatan average inclination of a side surface of the first contact hole islarger than an average inclination of a side surface of the secondcontact hole, and the first contact hole is formed so that the averageinclination of the side surface of the first contact hole is larger thanan average inclination of a side surface of the third contact hole. 7.The method according to claim 1, further comprising an oxide filmformation step of forming an oxide film in a form of a sidewall on anupper sidewall of the columnar semiconductor layer, wherein in thecontact stopper film formation step, the contact stopper film is formedafter the oxide film formation step, and the contact stopper film is asilicon nitride film.